Fabrice Gasnier, Chinon, Vieilles Vignes

Layers of sleek dark fruits. A little smoky but very pure at its core. Some resistance on the finish. Quite the charmer and very hard to resist now.

Bright red fruits (cranberry but also ripe cherry), with herbal notes and green pepper notes to mark it as a cabernet franc, plus some tar and tobacco notes on the finish. To the extent that any Loire red can be internationally styled, it seemed to me that this was, though perhaps that's just global warning bringing riper fruit. It certainly wasn't spoofilated -- this is no blueberry milkshake with a side of buttered toast, just rather more fruit forward than …

Great value from a traditional vintage; classic dark berry, tobacco leaf and mineral flavors on a taut frame; very good wine at a ridiculously low price.

Nice pesticide/boxwood thing on the nose. A bit of sharp spring onion/chives/green garlic. Raspberry (very hair berries) palate. Soft finish.

Very red-fruity with with cherry predominating. Decent acidity, very light tannins. A pleasant drink, but nothing special.

Recommended by Laurent Chapuis at Princeton Corkscrew, this bottle cost about 17 dollars. Opened and drank immediately with Ed and Norma at Ferry House. A bright red color with wonderful perfumey nose. Plenty of fruit and complexity on the palate. A rewarding drink to the last drop! I asked Laurent to give me 2 to compare in the 20 dollar range, at different ends of the specturm of big vs lighter. I am going to buy more of this!

nice example of chinon. green bell pepper, and other vegetal notes -- very rustic. subtle oak and pine notes.

Tasted side by side with the Gasnier 07 Les Graves. This wine had a bit more depth, a bit less fruit and is a slightly better wine, but not by much. Similar dark red color, but translucent. Nice nose with vegetal notes and fruit. Good in the mouth and a nice finish.

Light-bodied, fruity, very pleasant cab franc